2004: Company begins several new initiatives, including an annual "family reunion," the Woodhouse Rewards Program and the annual Mother's Day Tea

2006: Company presents its first spa benchmark report to franchise partners

2007: Company receives recognition as No. 1 Day Spa Chain in America from Day Spa Magazine

2008: Company starts monthly educational e-mail, "Wellness Message"

2009: Company rebrands Woodhouse logo, joins the Green Spa Network

Source: Woodhouse Day Spas news release

Jeni Garrett sat at the airport Friday, waiting to catch a plane back to the Lone Star State. After a week in New York, it was time to return home.

Garrett, the Victoria founder and chief executive officer of Woodhouse Day Spas, spent the week discussing her company with various media outlets.

"What they're finding interesting is the fact that spa services are perceived to be a luxury," she said. "Even in this economy, we're seeing sales growth systemwide."

Why is that? Spa services are a necessity, not a luxury, and that's why the company has grown, she said.

While in New York, she did about 15 interviews during the last week.

She kicked her week off on Monday by appearing on the Fox Business channel. She said it was fun to go through hair and make-up and see the studio she so often watches on TV. Other interviews with Working Mother Magazine, ForbesWoman, Bloomberg Radio and others followed.

"Everybody's interested in the story," she said, "and we're trying to put Victoria on the map."

Garrett began the company nine years ago because she loved what the industry did for people.

"The No. 1 reason people go to spas is stress relief," she said. "It's an alternative type of wellness."

In the years since, she began franchising. Woodhouse Day Spas now boasts 23 locations.

"We're having a blast building this and I certainly owe all of our growth and success over the years to the team at the home office there in Victoria," she said. "It's a pretty incredible group of people."

Garrett has lofty ambitions for the business and hopes to increase the number of locations to 125 within the next five years. She has a support system to help facilitate that growth, she said, and a new chief financial officer and chief operating officer, both of whom will help to propel business to the next level.

"My slogan has always been: 'You've got to do what you love,'" she said. "I think, when you find something you're gifted at and match that with something you love, there's really nothing that can stop that."

While the national attention is nice, Garrett said she's ready to be home in Victoria.